<?xml version='1.0' encoding='utf-8'?>
<baltimore-city-law heading="§ 5-301 Purpose.">
  <section prefix="§" num="5-301" heading="Purpose.">
    <para num="(a)" heading="In general.">The purpose of the variance procedure is to afford a property owner relief from certain regulations of this Code when practical difficulty exists.</para>
    <para num="(b)" heading="Application.">The Zoning Administrator, the Board of Municipal and Zoning Appeals, or the City Council may grant variances from the provisions of this Code pursuant to the standards set forth in this subtitle.</para>
    <para num="(c)" heading="Exceptions to variance procedure provisions: Signs.">The variance procedure provisions in this title do not apply to applications requesting an exemption from:<para num="(1)">the maximum quantity of signs;</para>
      <para num="(2)">the location requirements of signs; or</para>
      <para num="(3)">the types of signs allowed within a zoning district.</para>
    </para>
    <para num="(d)" heading="Use may not change by variance.">The variance procedure provisions may not be used to authorize a use not otherwise permitted in the zoning district.</para>
    <para num="(e)" heading="Authority not exclusive.">The authority granted in this Subtitle 3 to the Zoning Administrator or the Board of Municipal and Zoning Appeals to grant a variance from provisions of this Code is not intended to limit any other authority that may exist elsewhere within this Code to provide relief or modification from the Code’s requirements.</para>
    <annotation type="History">Ord. 16-581</annotation>
    <annotation type="History">Ord. 17-015</annotation>
    <annotation type="History">Ord. 18-171</annotation>
    <annotation type="History">Ord. 18-216</annotation>
    <annotation type="History">Ord. 20-350</annotation>
    <annotation type="History" />
  </section>
</baltimore-city-law>
